Iran centre-back Shoja Khalilzadeh expressed satisfaction with the performance of Team Melli despite the World Cup-bound Asian nation losing 2-1 to Nigeria's Super Eagles in an international friendly staged in Atanlya, Türkiye on Friday afternoon. 

Nigeria made a blistering start, with Moses Simon opening the scoring inside six minutes. 

Akor Adams doubled the advantage in the 51st minute, before Iran's poster boy Mehdi Taremi pulled one back midway through the second half.

Khalilzadeh highlighted Iran's resilience despite several players lacking match fitness after a month away from competitive action.

Speaking to Iran Football Federation official website, he said: "It was a good game, and thank God we were able to play well. Some of our players were out of playing condition for a month, but the national team was tested thoroughly against Nigeria. 

"As the game went on, we improved, and I hope we have an even better performance in the next match against Costa Rica."

Addressing Iran's preparation for the friendly against Nigeria, Khalilzadeh added: "After a month when the players were out of playing condition, we performed very well against Nigeria. 

"God willing, the match against Costa Rica will be much better than the game against Nigeria."

Khalilzadeh was one of only three Iranian players to complete the full 90 minutes against Nigeria, alongside goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand and forward Mehdi Taremi.

Asked to assess his own performance, Khalilzadeh was modest, saying he prefers to leave that judgement to the coaching staff.

"I shouldn’t talk about this myself. I hope the national team coach is satisfied. I will do my best in the upcoming games."

In their second friendly, Iran will face Costa Rica, while Nigeria take on Jordan on Tuesday, March 31.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel